Schools earn A+, cash prizes in annual Michigan Apple contest
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Holly Whetstone
(800) 456-2753
(DeWitt, Mich.) – Seven schools in Michigan and one in Indiana are the recipients of a total of $20,000 in cash prizes for their efforts to support Michigan Apple growers and to help encourage healthy eating habits.
The annual Michigan Apple School Sweepstakes, sponsored by Michigan Apple Committee, is open to accredited K-12 schools in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois. To participate, students clip and save the Michigan Apple logo off the bags of locally-grown apples. Each logo counts as an entry, with the winning schools selected in a computerized drawing.
This year’s winners are:
1st Place (Recipients of $5,000 each):
• Sister Lakes Elementary School of Dowagiac, Mich.
• Chippewa Hills Remus Elementary of Remus, Mich.
2nd Place (Recipients of $3,000 each):
• Carney-Nadeau Public Schools of Carney, Mich.
• Countryside Academy of Benton Harbor, Mich.
3rd Place (Recipients of $1,000 each):
• St. Valentine School of KawKawlin, Mich.
• Sacred Heart of Jesus School of Grand Rapids, Mich.
Collecting the Most Proofs (Recipients of $800 each):
• Legacy Christian of Grand Rapids, Mich.
• Redeemer Lutheran School of Kokomo, Ind.
According to MAC Executive Director Denise Donohue, the school sweepstakes continues to grow with more than 17,000 Michigan Apple proofs submitted in this year.
“In our books, these schools deserve a top grade – an A+ – for their efforts,” said Donohue. “Helping Michigan farmers and instilling healthy eating habits is a win for everyone involved.”
MAC plans to offer the School Sweepstakes again next year. A new essay contest for elementary students is also in the planning stages with kickoff expected in September. For details, visit MichiganApples.com this fall.
Schools participating in the school sweepstakes can begin collecting proofs once school resumes and continuing through the spring. Deadline for entries is April 15, 2011, with the drawing on May 1.
Winning schools can use the money as they deem appropriate. Some of the past winners have chosen to update playground equipment, purchase books and make technology improvements.
Apples are Michigan’s largest and most valuable fruit crop with an estimated annual economic impact of $800 million per year for the state. Michigan grows on average 20 million bushels of apples per year and is the third leading apple-producing state in the nation.
MAC is a grower-funded, nonprofit organization devoted to promotion, education and research activities to distinguish the Michigan apple and encourage its consumption by consumers in Michigan and around the world. For more information, visit MichiganApples.com